Weapons of Seduction: Stockings, Garter Belts & Garter Straps
Looking for that extra little touch of luxury and seduction to complete your lingerie look? I am now offering silk-wrapped garter straps as an optional add-on with your Divaurae order. Hand-crafted in my studio from strong Italian elastic covered with ruched Milanese silk and finished with stainless steel hardware, they offer a stunning Rococo look that instantly elevates any lingerie set.
Not to mention, they’ll keep your stockings securely positioned so that you can wear them with total confidence on a daily basis, and enjoy all of the seductive power that comes along with that!
Once a staple part of a woman’s daily attire, stockings and garter belts have taken something of a back seat in recent decades. And yet, they are a very important duo. A complete collection of garter belts is simply indispensable when you want to feel elegant, provocative, beautifully-shaped, or all three at once.
A well-made garter belt doesn’t just hold up your stockings; it also smooths over your tummy and provides shape and definition to your waist and hips, for all of the benefits of modern shapewear but in a decidedly more stylish package. And that’s true no matter your age range. We don’t need to resort to surgeries or other invasive treatments as we get older – with garter belts, we can age with grace!
Our grandmothers knew this. They also knew that lingerie should go hand in hand with the clothing on top of it, sometimes even coordinating their underpinnings to their outerwear clothing. I want to bring that holistic approach to dressing back. For my customers who desire it, for example, I’ve often made skirts and blouses that pair perfectly with my collections.
Now, that doesn’t always mean matching – that would be difficult to pull off on a daily basis! By all means mix brands and collections and build a lingerie ‘outfit’ just like you would an outerwear one. But pay attention to things like fabric, color palette and general aesthetic, and ensure there’s a common thread running through everything you’re wearing that ties it all together.
Above all, be intentional with every garment and accessory you put on your body. If you’re wearing a silk dress, shouldn’t you also want to wear silk panties below it for the full silk experience? If you’re in a pencil skirt that gives a nod to the fifties, isn’t a bullet bra, garter belt and stockings the perfect choice to go with it?
Don’t just settle for pantyhose because they’re ‘easy’ or because they’re what seems to be the norm today. As hemlines shortened over the decades, pantyhose and tights overtook stockings in popularity and, unfortunately, society mostly forgot that garter belts are actually a very practical item as well as being a sensual one. They’re still around of course, but they’ve become much more associated with solely sexy, special occasion lingerie rather than the everyday kind.
Maybe it’s because of the way they leave that little sliver of upper-thigh skin tantalizingly uncovered, unlike more modest pantyhose. Or perhaps it’s precisely because we’re so unaccustomed to seeing garter belts nowadays that they feel so sensual, like a very high heel or a figure-hugging dress that only gets worn on date night.
Whatever the reason, garter belts are provocative, and they also do wonders for your silhouette! Put both those benefits together and it’s impossible not to feel more confident and have an extra shimmy in your step when you’re wearing one. That’s why I wanted to give you the option to convert pieces such as my new girdle skirts into a garter belt via these clip-on silk garter straps.
Now, if you’re not a regular garter belt wearer, it’s not unusual to find them a little fiddly at first. Only practice makes perfect. But here’s a quick guide on how to attach your stockings for a flawless result:
- Start by putting on the garter belt. If you’re using the Divaurae detachable silk garter straps, clip them onto your girdle or panty while the garment is laid flat, so you can be sure they’re completely symmetrical.
- Now put on your stockings. If they’re authentic nylon ones in particular (which don’t have any stretch), remember to get the toe in place first and slowly roll them up the leg to avoid tearing!
- Sit down to attach your garter clips. This way, everything will be at a comfortable height with no pulling whether you’re sitting or standing.
- Open the garter clip, insert the top edge of the stocking – more than just a few millimeters, you want at least a centimeter for a good grip – and press the clip closed.
- Do the front strap first, followed by the back (and lastly the side if you’ve gone for a vintage-style 6-strap garter belt). To better reach the back while sitting, prop your foot up on something such as a stool or the edge of the bed.
- Finally, give everything a once-over in the mirror to check for wrinkles or twisted fabric, as well as nice straight lines if you’ve chosen seamed stockings.
Remember not to use garter clips with hold-up stockings, which have a thick silicone trim inside the top that could damage the clip’s teeth.
As to the question of whether panties go over or under the garter belt, that’s really down to personal preference. Models are typically photographed with the garter belt on top because it keeps the lines of the garment unbroken, and maybe you want that same sleek and harmonious look.
Many seasoned stocking wearers however will be quick to tell you that panties on top is the most practical option, provided the design allows for this of course (you can’t wear them over a ruffled garter belt!), because it makes using the bathroom much easier. Both choices are valid.
But there’s also a third option: turn your panties themselves into the stocking holder with the Divaurae double-ended garter straps. Not only are they perfect for adding to the new Lorena Fetish, Lorena Exquisite Noire and Roxanne girdle skirts, but you can also clip them straight onto panties.
Due to the fixed length of the straps – since adjustable hardware would risk damaging the delicate silk – and because a high-waisted garter belt is more secure and less likely to get pulled down, I recommend styling them with fuller-cut panties that have a low legline and high waistband such as the Noire collection high-waisted lace panty. Or with a bodysuit such as the Seherezade lace body. But for short-term boudoir only wear, you can wear them with almost anything!
These deluxe, silk-wrapped garter straps are only available as an add-on to another item; to order, simply add the desired quantity to your cart along with the rest of your purchase. If you’d like to request a bespoke color option, get in touch here.